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cutting

A laser cutter is, without a doubt, a really handy and cool tool if you or your company is into fabrication. Laser cutters are versatile, functional and if you’re willing to go the extra mile you can produce seriously impressive results. If you have one, you can easily go about producing or customizing your own products.

So, if you’re out there in the market looking to buy one, you’ll want to be sure you’re making an informed, smart purchase. So where do you start? Well below are 6 factors that will definitely help you make an informed decision.

1. What Type of Laser Cutters is Best for You?

Basically, there are two main types of laser cutters:

• CO2 Laser Cutter.

This type of laser cutter is ideal, especially if you plan to cut orgainic based materials such as paper, wood, acrylic, glass, fabric, stone, and leather – just to name a few. If you are on a higher budget, you can purchase a CO2 cutter with more power and technology that will even cut through sheet metal. Just so you’re aware, CO2 power under 150W cannot cut through metal that efficiently. Such cutters are better suited for organic or non-metal materials.

Note: CO2 powered lasers offer more diverse capabilities than fiber and more often than not – cheaper.

• Fiber Laser Cutters.

What makes fiber laser cutters advantageous is the laser wavelength is ideal for cutting and engraving metals both reflective and non-reflective. With fiber, you can process thin metals on a large scale, in a quick and more efficient manner. It shines a lot while cutting through thin metals. Also, it works extremely well for engraving and marking metals such as gold, aluminum, silver, and steel. This type of laser cutters can also etch on plastics as well, providing you with an advanced flexibility to offer more services.

2. Your Budget

You will, of course, have to decide what your top end will be as far as a laser cutter price. Many companies that sell laser cutters have economical entry level CO2 machines that retail at less than $10,000. Fiber cutters, on the other hand, generally retail at prices starting from $15,000 depending on whether you will use the fiber to mark or cut metal.

Fiber machines are more expensive, but overall, the more power a cutter has and the larger it is, the more expensive it is – especially when it pertains to metal processing. If you have more than $10,000, we’d recommend buying a USA made machine as you can get sizes ranging from 4×4″ all the way up to 5×10′ and larger. I just depends on the size sheet metal you’ll be routinely processing. Most of these types of machines have other features, such as having laser heads with premium motion systems, which allow for very precise cutting and movement.

The maintenance required for your machine is, undoubtedly, crucial when determining your budget. If you’re able to give your cutter proper care, it can last a lifetime. Do know though, that even if your cutter lasts for a lifetime, there are consumables that will need constant replacing. These are such as mirrors, tubes, nozzles, and optics. Of all these, tubes are the highest expense as they are replaced more often.

You’ll need to talk to your manufacturer about the expected expenses relating to the required consumables. However, keep in mind that the costs vary from machine to machine. It is best that you find out these costs early enough so that you can be able to determine if its affordable to maintain your cutter.

3. Use of Laser Cutter

Consider the following questions in regard to intended use of your laser cutter.

• What type of materials do you plan to process?

• Will you be cutting or engraving or doing both?

• How thick are your materials?

Accurate answers to these questions are extremely important since different types of cutters perform different roles. For instance, if you want to process a wide range of materials, you might want to consider a CO2 cutter. Also, if you’re going to process thick materials, you’ll definitely have to consider a more powerful cutter.

Laser cutter power is typically measured in Watts. The higher it is, the faster you cut. However, the cutting speed is also determined by the thickness of the material as well as the application. You can get the information regarding the power you will require for whatever you want to cut from the manufacturer.

4. What Size Machine Works Best for Your Application?

Other than budget, consider the space available to install your laser cutter and the size of materials you intend to process. Needless to say, you must have ample space where you plan to install your cutter. There must be just enough space to move around the cutter comfortably.

Ample space around the cutter is important, particularly when you need to move the material on the bed and for maintenance purposes. The laser cutter bed must also be large enough to hold the material you will be cutting. Check all the doorways leading to the space, where you plan to install your cutter and ensure your machine will fit through each of them.

If you’re not sure of the size of the materials you intend to process, its best to get a larger size machine. While you can increase the power of your cutter, you cannot increase its size. You wouldn’t want to find out after buying that you have a cutter that is too small for your needs.

5. Type of Laser Tube

The laser tube is the heart of your laser cutting machine and the amount of ‘heart’ you’ll need is proportionate to they type of cutter that you will be operating. Obviously, if you have a fiber machine, you’ll require a fiber laser tube. And, the same applies to the CO2 machine, which will need CO2 laser tube. The CO2 laser tubes are quiet reliable and last between 5,000 to 10,000 machine hours while those for fiber machines last over 100,000 hours. Fiber tubes require less maintenance than CO2 tubes. Make sure the company you buy the laser tube from offers a real, legitimate warranty as opposed to 3 months or less.

When shopping for laser tubes, be sure to consider the wattage as those with a higher value last longer. Tubes with a lower wattage are cheaper, but generally, have a shorter lifespan. It is important to always ensure the manufacturer has indicated that the tubes are lab tested.

The CO2 tubes wattage is usually between 40W to 200W. Replacement of laser tubes of lower wattage will cost you around $300 to $600. Higher wattage tubes can go for more than $4,000.

The fiber laser tube wattage ranges from 300W to 2000W for cutting machines, and 20W to 50W for engraving machines.

6. Reputable and Reliable Company

Although you can buy your laser cutters from a number of manufacturers around the world, manufacturers from the United States seem to be the best option. Laser machines supported in the United States by US citizens tend to adhere to higher-quality control standards; therefore, you’ll definitely get the best return on your investment.

Shipping from the US is efficient and your product arrives in excellent condition. Manufacturers also offer good technical support. Getting replacement parts is also not difficult.

We’d advise you to choose a company that qualifies on all aspects of quality and post sale technical service and support. Do not underestimate the value of support for understanding and getting the most out of your machine. You don’t want to have to wait days and weeks to replace a part either. In line with this, I would recommend Boss Laser’s cutting machines, which is a reliable and reputable company that has high-quality control standards, good technical support and offers easy replacement of parts. It also offers the most competitive rates.

They are popular for their ‘over-the-top’ client support both before and after sales. Boss’ support staff has received some great reviews. You’ll never go wrong with this company!

There you have it! A lot of people are apprehensive about how to buy a laser cutter. If you follow the above buying guide you’ll be far and away ahead of most.

At a distance many will say that laser cutters aren’t that easy to build – even for a diy’er. But, you’d be surprised by how easy it is to really build one. It may not be quality but you’ll learn a lot. Not to mention how cheap it can be as compared to buying one from an online retailer…or worse buying direct from China.

Also, I’ll make this clear right up front…

I’d strongly encourage you to build a small laser cutter before ever buying one direct from China. Horror stories abound for those that take the risk. Sadly most only think the risk is a loss of money, time, support, or quality of the laser. But, more important that that understand this: China laser cutters are often made with counterfeit components. I mean if you’re a China supplier – that’s what you do. (I sound like a Geico commercial). But, producing counterfeit (whether it’s done willfully or ignorantly) is at epidemic proportions for any type of product made in China.

But, seriously I’ve listened to stories of innocent, hard working, DIY’ers wanting to save a buck go ahead and order a machine from an Alibaba approved laser cutting supplier (typically because of the price) and it end up costing them a fortune.

How’s that?

If at the border the CBP decides to pop the hood on your imported hobby laser from XYZ company in Jinan and happens to find a UL or CE symbol on any of the components – He’ll run that accession number through his computer system and if it doesn’t track back to your supplier…as the importer you’ll be held accountable for importing counterfeit laser equipment. And let me tell you. Not only will you lose the machine, you’ll be responsible for the storage fees while they hold it and then FINE you as the importer. Of course you’ll need a customs attorney to mitigate the fines, but it will be expensive. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t know or it was the exporters fault – Tough Luck. The CBP won’t care and will absolutely hold you accountable. And you will be dearly.

No matter what someone says the facts remain the same. The technology behind lasers isn’t any secret, light is basically energy, focus it on a single point and you’re increasing the energy that point is absorbing. Turn the power up and it’ll start heating, keep turning the knobs and you’ll be getting rid of anything that the light beam touches.

So what’s stopping everyone from making one? It takes time and a bit of money. Companies don’t just ask you for the $8k – $10k amount because they want to milk it all, to be honest even making a 100W laser cutter at your home is going to cost around $7k according to Lasersaur’s starter manual.

If you’re really serious about working on a homemade laser cutter then make sure read their manual and follow the links, they’re quire thorough.

There are however several other reasons for pursuing the idea as well, whether it be just your own interest in the field or perhaps you want to save some money or you just don’t want to give your money up to the corporations, regardless of your motivations; building a laser cutter is fun.

The pros and cons

Nearly every activity in our lives has a pros and cons list behind it, whether we acknowledge it is our choice but the fact remains that even when you’re crossing the road you make a small pros and cons list in your mind. Then you decide not to cross it because the cons list only says “You can die”, no matter how long the pros list is. That one singular point matters more to you than everything else.

So why not do the same for this activity? We’ll help you up a little.

The cons

Our reason for listing these before the positive aspects is simple. You should be aware of the negative aspects of what you’re getting into.

It’ll take time. It’s not as simple as ordering one online because you’ll be building it up yourself.

It might cost more than what you were hoping for. Mistakes do happen.

Building up a laser cutter isn’t easy. Among the things you’ll have to do is cutting wood, certain metals, connecting wires, doing tests etc. As far as money is concerned however, you should be prepared for some surprised along the way just in case, unless you’re amazing at following instructions and have a good experience with handling tools, you’re going to make a lot of mistakes. These mistakes are going to cost you; literally.

Don’t forget the fact that if you’ve never done this before. You’ll need all the time that you can find because this isn’t just something that you can get ready in an hour or two. You’ll need to be devoted to it because it will seem like a very complicated and slow process. It’s worth it.

The pros

Let’s get to the real part.

You’ll be saving some money.

You’ll be learning quite a lot about how this stuff works.

The looks, it’s all about the looks.

It’s not just straight up production costs. Of course you’ll be spending less money than what would cost you if you had bought a brand new one. But most of the money you’ll save will be over the course of time that you use the cutter. You won’t have to pay anyone to repair it if something goes wrong, you’ll be able to get your replacement parts yourself instead of any middle man; so no overbilling (it does happen).

But the best part is that you’ll have full control over the design, you’ll be able to change anything that you don’t like about the design during the building process. So instead of having to buy an $8000 cutter, then spending even more on design alterations. You’ll be getting the combo package.

Check this link on Wired: http://www.wired.com/2012/10/diy-laser-cutter/

Reviews

Buyers have looked at Epilog and Trotec and have shyed away from the over bearing price tag. Honestly, metal laser tubes aren’t as reliable and terribly expensive to maintain, repair, or replace. Whereas, there are smaller companies offering hobbyists lower cost alternatives such as Full Spectrum Laser or Cheap CNC. Prices are significantly less but read forums and you’ll find honest reviews of FS Laser. It’s far better to take a little time prior to purchasing or building a DIY cutting machine in the beginning than spending too little on a machine that can cost you time an money to fix and repair all the time. I would advise not going too cheap.

Should you be looking to further upgrade to a better quality laser but don’t want to pay for a 100% US manufactured machine you can also buy a ‘made in the USA’ hybrid co2 laser cutter. Some US companies will import a laser machine they 100% designed in house but have it built overseas. They’ll be careful to maintain US manufacturing standards. They’ll also typically add their own critical components i.e laser power, power supply, software, etc. The lesser parts will originate from overseas. The end result is you get an imported machine that uses the best components especially those that make your laser machine really sing.

Most people think that laser machinery is only applicable to industrial manufacturing applications. However, more of these machines are becoming popular with saavy DIY’ers and small businesses as well. In my day I went to wood working class whereas today laser cutters are what’s getting school kids excited…or at least we’re getting their attention.

Cutting materials with a CO2 laser is a technology that makes use of CO2 gases that are now used to make precision cuts in all types of organic and metallic materials. You can find them in schools, Universities, hobbyists garages, small business, and larger industries. Cutting material is accomplished by a pc with a laser interface that can take image files and “print” to the laser which simply tells the laser engrave or cut. Under the cutting process the material is melted, or removed, vaporized or – whooo! Blown away by compressed gases leaving an impressive, high-quality finished edge. Most industrial laser cutting machines have the capability of cutting flat material as well as cylindrical shaped items through the use of a rotary attachement

Laser Services

Making sure that you put your laser cutting machine through regular routine laser service is paramount to prolonging the life of your cutting device. Laser servicing also ensures that your laser is calibrated at all times, so that you get a clean cut whenever you need it. Performing a laser service and taking preventative maintenance will keep the downtime of your machine at an absolute minimum, while also improving the efficiency and reliability of your machine. If you schedule your maintenance beforehand your business will have no more than a day or two down time, which depends on the model of the machine you own.

Laser Cutters

There are three main types of laser cutters and engravers sold for commercial use. These are, mainly, identical in look and style, but differ greatly in the application of use. The three types of laser cutting machines are C02, Nd and Nd/YAG. C02 laser cutting machines are used for boring, cutting, scribing and engraving, among other light duty tasks. The Nd (which stands for Neodymium) is used for boring with high energy pulses, and low repetition speeds. Nd-YAG (stands for Neodymium doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) is used in more powerful applications like where high pressure pulses are needed like deep boring, trimming and engraving.

Laser Cut Acrylic

When you think of cutting acrylic you might be inclined to believe that it is easy to cut, and you will not be wrong. Making a laser cut in acrylic basically requires the setting of speed and maximum laser output. However, if you want to generate a clean, tidy, quality cut, you need to select your cutting parameters very specifically. For instance, if you were to drop the speed of your cut you will end up with a better quality cut. However, if you were to slow it down too much your cut will end up being too wide and extend towards the bottom of the cut. There are a number of other parameters to consider and these include the focus of the laser and the focus length used. Also, you need to watch the gas flow, which should be set as low as possible to keep your cut clean.

Laser Cutting Wood

If you want to get a clean edge when laser cutting wood, high processing speeds are a must. If your processing speed is set too low you risk burning the edge of your cut object. The temperature of the edge is dropped naturally with the escape of sublime smoke that is released when the wood is being cut. However, you can lower the temperature of the cut edge more by introducing compressed air in your cutting processing, allowing the air to blow directly onto the edge as the laser cuts into the wood. Although, many artists who work with wood have successfully used the “burned edge” effect in their products as part of the design.

Laser Cut Stainless Steel

When it comes to CO2 – processing or cutting metal or stainless steel or even thin sheet metal is probably the most common application in the laser industry. There are many different uses and reasons for laser cutting steel, but most is done using a fiber laser, yag, or C02 laser machines. The issue is the thicker the steel the more power is necessary which can make the price of a laser cutter rather expensive. This is especially true with fiber laser technology. As with wood cutting, lasering through steel will produce high heat volumes, which is why many companies needing thicker steel laser cuts do so by introducing water into the cutting process. You can submerge the steel into water, however, if the cut is going to be performed on a large steel sheet the water application needs to be compressed and sprayed onto the surface as the cut takes place. This application successfully keeps the temperature of the sheet manageable thus producing a quality cutting edge.